The Wellness Script

Your winter wellness reset starts here!As the clocks go back and the colder, darker days arrive, it's the perfect opportunity to rethink the small habits that help us feel our best.In this solo episode of The Wellness Script, pharmacist Lauren O'Reilly shares her practical guide to preparing for winter, from protecting your skin barrier and looking after your eyes to supporting your immune health and getting your medicine cabinet ready.Lauren also shares a recent discovery from her own dry-eye assessment that completely changed how she thinks about eye health, plus the everyday habits she's introducing to make staying well that little bit easier.Key takeaways:Your Winter Arc: How to use the colder months as an opportunity to build realistic, sustainable habits without the pressure of completely overhauling your routine.Protecting your skin barrier: Why colder weather, indoor heating and hot showers can worsen dryness and irritation, and how to adapt your skincare routine for winter.Moisturising matters: The difference between lotions, creams and ointments, ingredients worth looking for, and why applying moisturiser to damp skin can make a difference.Nutrition and skin health: The role of omega-3 fatty acids, where to find them in your diet and why a food-first approach is preferable to relying on supplements.Don't overlook your eye health: Lauren shares what she discovered during her recent dry-eye assessment, why watery eyes can be a sign of dryness and how screen time affects our eyes.Supporting your immune system: Why sleep, good nutrition and preventative healthcare matter more than so-called immune-boosting supplements.Vitamin D in winter: Who should be supplementing, recommended doses in Ireland and why taking more isn't necessarily better.Vaccinations worth knowing about: The importance of flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, children's nasal flu vaccine and what to know about shingles prevention.Your winter medicine cabinet: The essentials worth keeping at home, including appropriate pain relief, a thermometer, honey and saline nasal products.Common medication mistakes: Why you should check the ingredients in combination cold and flu remedies, avoid overusing decongestant sprays and never share prescription medicines.The takeaway: Staying well this winter doesn't need to be complicated or expensive. Small, evidence-informed changes to your everyday routine can make a meaningful difference to how you feel throughout the colder months.No unrealistic winter routines or expensive wellness trends. Just evidence-informed, practical advice to help you take care of yourself this winter.Download your free episode guide: https://wellnessscriptpod.com/Proudly sponsored by Elave Skincare, iconic Irish skincare made with sensitive skin in mind.Shop Elave: https://elaveskincare.com/Use code WELLNESS for 20% off online.Follow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessscriptpod/Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general educational and informational purposes only and does not replace individualised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always speak to your pharmacist, GP or appropriate healthcare professional about your individual circumstances.

Is rocking your baby to sleep creating a bad habit? Should your baby be sleeping through the night by now? And is sleep training really necessary?Baby and toddler sleep can be one of the most overwhelming parts of early parenthood, particularly when you're navigating conflicting advice, sleepless nights and the pressure to get everything "right".This week on The Wellness Script, pharmacist Lauren O'Reilly is joined by Amy Corrigan, certified baby and toddler sleep consultant, mum of two and founder of BROODE, to unpack what's actually normal when it comes to children's sleep.From newborn wake windows and sleep associations to sleep training, night waking, regressions and toddler bedtime battles, Amy shares practical advice to help parents understand their child's individual sleep needs, from baby to toddler right up to starting school.We also explore the judgement surrounding different parenting choices, why no single sleep method works for every family, the importance of safe sleep guidance, and when disrupted sleep might warrant a closer medical look.And importantly, we talk about the parents too, because sleep deprivation, guilt and the mental load of early parenthood deserve just as much attention.Whether you're expecting your first baby, navigating broken nights with a newborn or struggling with a toddler who refuses to stay in bed, this conversation is here to offer reassurance, perspective and practical support.Our SponsorThis episode is proudly sponsored by Elave Skincare, gentle, fragrance-free skincare made in Ireland for sensitive skin. Explore the range at https://elaveskincare.com/ and use the exclusive code WELLNESS for 20% off your order.Key takeawayIf something is working for you and your family, you don't need to change it simply because someone else says you should.There is no single perfect sleep schedule, method or parenting approach. Understanding your child's needs, prioritising safety and finding an approach that works for your family are what matter most.Disclaimer: This podcast is intended for general educational purposes and does not replace individual medical advice. Every baby and family is different. Always follow current HSE safe sleep guidance and speak with your GP or public health nurse if you have concerns about your baby's health, feeding, breathing or sleep. Never prioritise a sleep training method over safe sleep recommendations.Resources & LinksAmy Corrigan – Baby & Toddler Sleep ConsultantWebsite: https://amycorrigansleep.ie/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amycorrigan_sleep_consultant/BROODE – Parenting Support & CommunityWebsite: https://broode.ie/HSE – Safe Sleep Guidancehttps://www2.hse.ie/conditions/cot-death/where-baby-should-sleep/HSE – Newborn Sleephttps://www2.hse.ie/babies-children/sleep/newborns/The Wellness ScriptInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnessscriptpod/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wellnessscriptpodWebsite: https://wellnessscriptpod.com/

What if the things we buy to make life feel better are actually adding to the overwhelm?This week, host & pharmacist Lauren O’Reilly is joined by sustainability expert Pat Kane for an honest conversation about buying more, wanting more, and what all that consumption costs us - financially, environmentally and in the mental load of managing everything we own.From retail therapy and beauty advent calendars to fashion trends and the pressure to make Christmas magical, we explore why it’s so easy to buy things we don’t really need, and how to pause before another purchase becomes another thing to look after.Pat shares her approach to second-hand shopping, thoughtful gifting and making her wardrobe pay for itself. We also take the conversation beyond shopping, discussing our appetite for information, our growing reliance on AI, and why Pat puts offline time in her calendar and treats it as a commitment.A practical conversation about enjoying what you love, recognising when you have enough, and making room for the things that actually add value to your life.Our SponsorThe Wellness Script Season 4 is brought to you by Elave Skincare - iconic Irish skincare, made in Ireland since 1934 and created with sensitive skin in mind.Exclusive listener discount: Use code WELLNESS for 20% off at elaveskincare.com Show notesIn this episode, we discuss:Pat’s journey into sustainability: How her corporate career, upbringing in Rio and experience as a mother shaped her work.Who pays the price for cheap products? Looking beyond the price tag to ask where things come from and who makes them.Realistic changes at home: Refills, reusing what you already own and making one manageable change at a time.The pressure to keep buying: Seasonal marketing and the promise that another purchase will make life more special.Clutter and mental load: Why owning more can leave us feeling overwhelmed, and the freedom of having less to manage.Making your wardrobe pay for itself: Pat’s approach to selling before buying, shopping second-hand, borrowing and repeating outfits.Beauty advent calendars and the illusion of value: Whether a bundle is really a bargain if you only wanted a few of the products.Christmas gifting with less pressure: Secret Santa, thoughtful gifts, supporting local businesses and managing children’s expectations.Digital consumption and AI: Pat’s concerns about environmental impact, constant information and how readily we reach for our phones.Protecting offline time: Scheduling movement, time outdoors and connection into a busy working week.Change beyond the individual: Why businesses have a role in making better choices easier for consumers.Three ideas to take awayPause before following a trend. Do you actually like it, and does it fit your style?Support a small or local business when you can. Be thoughtful about where your spending goes.Look at what you already have. Before adding more, consider whether there’s already something at home that meets the need.Links & ResourcesFollow Pat Kane & explore her workPat’s Instagram — @iampatkaneReuzi — sustainable living, reusable products & resourcesAntaris Consulting — sustainability & ESG consultancyFollow The Wellness ScriptInstagram — @wellnessscriptpodTikTok — @wellnessscriptpodWebsite & episode guidesResearch mentioned in the episodeCyberSafeKids — The Year Little Changed (2026 report): Research into children’s online experiences in Ireland, including social media, gaming, AI use and online safety.A note for parents: The Christmas section includes a conversation about Santa that you may prefer to listen to without little ears around.

Why do we keep repeating patterns we know aren’t serving us - even when we’re completely aware we’re doing it?In this episode of The Wellness Script, host & Pharmacist Lauren O'Reilly is joined by Ireland's only Self-Belief and People Pleasing Coach, Aisling Kennedy for a conversation about people pleasing, self-belief, confidence, self-trust and the patterns that quietly influence how we make decisions and show up in our lives.Aisling shares her own journey from seeking external validation and struggling with people pleasing to changing the way she approached her career, relationships and sense of self. Together, Lauren and Aisling explore why simply knowing that you people please, overthink or self-sabotage often isn’t enough - and what you can actually do next.They discuss the difference between confidence, self-worth and self-belief; why we can mistake fitting in for belonging; how journaling and voice notes can help us process our thoughts; and Aisling’s practical 4 Rs framework — Rewire, Repeat, Reward and Reflect — for creating lasting behavioural change.They also explore manifestation, the stories we repeatedly tell ourselves, boundaries, fear of other people’s opinions and why small acts of doing things differently can gradually build evidence that you can trust yourself.If you’ve ever found yourself thinking “I know I do this… but how do I actually stop?”, this episode is for you.The Wellness Script Season 4 is proudly sponsored by Elave Skincare - iconic Irish skincare, made in Ireland since 1934 and created with sensitive skin in mind.EXCLUSIVE LISTENER OFFER: Use code WELLNESS for 20% off at the elaveskincare.com In this episode, Lauren and Aisling discuss:What people pleasing actually looks like - beyond simply saying yes when you want to say noWhy seeking external validation can become such a powerful behavioural patternThe difference between confidence, self-belief, self-worth and self-trustWhy confidence is often a skill rather than something you either “have” or don’tHow people pleasing can influence our careers, relationships, friendships and everyday decisionsWhy becoming aware of a pattern is only the beginningHow our fear of the worst-case scenario can keep us stuckAisling’s 4 Rs framework: Rewire, Repeat, Reward and ReflectWhy small repeated actions can help us build evidence that we can handle difficult thingsThe importance of rewarding effort — not just perfect outcomesHow reflection can replace shame with learningJournaling, voice notes and other ways to process your thoughtsEFT tapping and how Aisling incorporates it into her workManifestation, mindset and becoming more aware of the opportunities around usWhy “fitting in” and genuinely belonging aren’t the same thingLearning to make decisions based on what you want rather than what you think other people expectHandling opinions from friends, family and the people closest to usPractical ways to begin building greater self-belief this weekConnect with Aisling:Aisling also shares her 7-day self-belief challenge, available through her Instagram, designed around small practical steps including journaling, questioning your patterns and EFT tapping. Check it out on Aisling's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/coachaislingkennedy/Connect with The Wellness Script:Follow The Wellness Script and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts so you never miss an episode.https://www.instagram.com/wellnessscriptpod/ Follow Lauren: https://www.instagram.com/itslaurenoreilly/The Wellness Script is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace personalised medical or mental health advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.

In this episode of The Wellness Script, host & Pharmacist Lauren O’Reilly sits down with the questions listeners have been sending in for a special Episode 30 Ask Me Anything.From creatine and magnesium to electrolytes, multivitamins and red meat, Lauren takes a pharmacist’s lens to some of the health and supplement conversations that have become increasingly difficult to navigate.Is creatine genuinely worth taking? Does magnesium actually improve sleep? Do you need electrolytes every time you exercise? Is a daily multivitamin helping you live longer? And what does the evidence really say about red meat, processed meat and bowel cancer risk?Lauren also shares the simple checklist she uses when assessing supplements: what are you taking it for, what does the evidence actually support, is the dose appropriate, could you be duplicating ingredients, and could it interact with medication?This is an episode about moving away from all-or-nothing health advice and learning how to make informed decisions with a little more context, scepticism and nuance.For general education only; always seek individual advice from an appropriately qualified healthcare professional.This season of The Wellness Script is proudly sponsored by Elave Skincare - iconic Irish skincare, made in Ireland since 1934 and created with sensitive skin in mind. Elave Skincare: elaveskincare.comInstagram: @elaveskincareDiscount code: WELLNESS for 20% off onlineKey topics coveredWhy red meat and processed meat should not be treated as the same thing.What the evidence actually tells us about processed meat and colorectal cancer.Why cancer classifications describe the strength of evidence, not simply how dangerous something is.Lauren’s pharmacist checklist before starting any supplement.Why “this nutrient is important” does not automatically mean “taking more will benefit me”.The large 2024 multivitamin study and the healthy-user effect.Supplement duplication, excessive doses and medication interactions.Why creatine monohydrate has one of the stronger evidence bases in sports supplementation.Creatine, muscle performance, water retention and serum creatinine.What the evidence actually says about magnesium for sleep.When electrolytes are useful, and when ordinary food and water are enough.Why oral rehydration solution is different from a sports electrolyte drink.“Don’t start with the supplement. Start with the reason that you’re taking it.”